Eagles Dismantle Blazers Defense in 4-1 Victory

FREDERICK, Md.- The Juniata men's soccer team responded to conceding the first goal against Hood College with four unanswered for a 4-1 victory over the Blazers on Wednesday night. 

Goals came from Jayden Gaynor, Ian Edwards, Ryan Angelone, and Emmet Young, while Gaynor and Edwards also tallied assists in the 90.  

The Eagles started the contest with six shots in the first 15 minutes, including shots on goal from Jalen Holliday, Gavin Rauhut, and Sean Weiland. After controlling the pace earlier, Hood was able to find the back of the net with their first shot of the night in the 20th minute to the top and middle of the goal.  

Juniata immediately began to search for a response, with Harshaan Grewal getting a shot on target a minute later. Off a free kick in the 35th minute, Gaynor initially hit the post, Grewaal fired a shot off, and Gaynor collected and found the bottom-right corner for a one-all scoreline at the break. 

Ninety seconds into the second half, Edwards would find the goal to set the tone for a half Juniata completely dominated. Young received the ball at midfield and turned to fire a through ball down the line to Gaynor. Gaynor, clear of the defenders, dribbled near the six-yard line and fired a cross touched but not collected by a Hood defender before Edwards drilled the ball into the netting.  

The next goal came just a little over five minutes later as Angelone tallied his first collegiate goal. Edwards received the ball from 30 yards out, then turned and beat his defender to dribble towards goal. He was brought down on a tackle on the edge of the box, and Angelone met the ball first and found the bottom-left corner.  

Hood looked to regain footing with two shots in the next three minutes saved by Arun Subramanian. Juniata had the chance to add to the lead in the 65th minute, as Edwards aimed for the bottom right corner with a penalty kick, but the keeper went the right way to make the save. Juniata's fourth goal did come in the 73rd minute off a free kick from Young. He was perpendicular to the 18-yard line and ten yards left of it when he fired to the near post. The Blazers keeper struggled to cover the near post, as Jacob Haynes pressed the keeper as the ball came towards the post. 

The Eagles ended the game with 24 shots and 12 shots on goal to eight total shots and five shots on goal from the Blazers. Subramanian ended the night with four saves from five shots on goal. 

Juniata begins Landmark Conference competition as they travel to Drew on Saturday for a 1:00 pm start. One season ago, the sides played to a 2-2 draw at Gibbel Stadium with an Edwards brace.